Joan Mir to miss Red Bull Ring MotoGP, replacement announced

Joan Mir has withdrawn from this weekend’s Austrian MotoGP at Red Bull Ring.

The HRC rider retired on lap 6 of Sunday’s Misano Grand Prix, then travelled to Barcelona for medical checks.

Those examinations have revealed ‘altered parameters in the blood’ which require further investigation. 

HRC test rider Takaaki Nakagami will take Mir’s place alongside Luca Marini this weekend.

A HRC statement added: 'Due to the symptoms already shown in Italy and without a clear diagnosis, Mir’s medical team have recommended he focus on his recovery and withdraw from the Austrian GP. 

'This will allow the #36 to rest and for more tests and studies to be done.

'Fresh off a test in Mugello, Honda HRC Development Rider Takaaki Nakagami will step onto the Honda HRC Castrol RC213V machine for the Spielberg weekend. 

'Already scheduled to attend the post-race test on Monday, the substitution will allow Nakagami and HRC to continue testing with the 1,000cc machine and prepare further for the #30’s wildcard at the Japanese GP.'

Nakagami's most recent MotoGP appearance was at Motegi last season, after which he has been focusing on development of Honda's 850cc/Pirelli prototype.

“I arrive in Austria straight from a private test in Mugello, but we have been doing a lot of different testing of a lot of different bikes," Nakagami said.

"This weekend will be about getting back up to speed completely with the RC213V and the Michelin tyres ahead of my wildcard at home in Motegi. 

"Of course, I am sure that we will take this opportunity to try a couple of things that maybe the team wouldn’t normally so we can be well prepared for the future. 

"The main thing is to make sure that Joan is OK, this is the key point in this difficult moment for him.”